Rhode Island 's fiscal year 2010 budget, as proposed by Governor Carcieri, would eliminate funding for a program vital to the health of many elders with limited incomes, the Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly Program, known as RIPAE. RIPAE plays a vital role in helping low-income seniors cope with the Medicare Part D coverage gap, better known as the “donut hole.” Once a senior has spent more that $2700 on prescription drugs for the year, he or she must pay the next $4,350 in drug costs “out of pocket.” RIPAE subsidizes those costs in 3 tiers, with a 60% state cost-share for a single person with income below $19,300 or a married couple with income below $24,100. Currently over 17,900 RI seniors are enrolled in RIPAE, and over 9,000 receive the 60% RIPAE cost-share benefit.

Access to prescription drugs for all seniors is absolutely critical to our well-being. Prescription drugs are one of the fastest-growing areas of health care, and drug therapies offer improved treatments for a growing list of conditions. 88% of all seniors use prescription drugs, with 58% using 3 or more prescriptions. According to the 2007-08 Senior Agenda Factbook , in 2005 the average Medicare beneficiary spent $1,139 out of pocket on prescriptions, and those in poor health spent an average of $1,932. As the Factbook summarized, “For elders with limited incomes, inadequate prescription drug coverage can have dire health consequences if they go without needed medications, and can ruin them financially if subsidies are unavailable.”

RIPAE is not a total panacea. It doesn't cover a number of important drugs. But it's the only help in somewhat offsetting the effects of the bizarre “donut hole” in Medicare Part D. The Senior Agenda Coalition, along with the Gray Panthers of RI and other groups have worked successfully in recent years to improve it by adding drugs covered. To kill this valuable program is the most egregious and damaging assault to date on our safety net for our most vulnerable seniors. It flies in the face of the Governor's statements that he wants the Global Medicaid Waiver to help keep seniors in the community longer instead of in nursing homes. You have to ask of the Governor, “what was he thinking?”

To speak personally for a moment, I have been able to cope with glaucoma in one eye for many years thanks to a range of prescription drugs. Today I use two prescriptions and may need to add a third. Fortunately under my current health plan I only pay a $5 co-pay. Once I'm retired and relying on Medicare, the cost of those prescriptions will be significant. My doctor says that over the years some of the prescriptions may lose their efficacy for me, but others are being developed. The new ones will undoubtedly be expensive. But since I like being able to see out of both eyes, I will have to come up with the “out of pocket” costs. As the current depression worsens and we will feel its effects for years, which of us can say we would never need RIPAE?

It's time to fight back. Call the Governor and General Assembly leaders today and demand that RIPAE be restored to the FY 2010 budget. (Their numbers are listed below). The health you save may be your own.

CONTACT INFORMATION—GOVERNOR & LEGISLATIVE LEADERS